Serendipity and Uncertainty in Pharmaceutical Research
Hans-Joachim Böhm Cortona 4 September 2016
Topics to Discuss
• Drug discovery in the past • Some examples for role of serendipity in drug discovery • Current drug discovery • Serendipity and uncertainty: opportunities and challenges Historical Medicines
• Mostly mixtures and extracts
Drimia maritima Colchicum Papaver somniferum (sea onion) autumnale (opium) (autumn crocus) Many Historical Medicines still being used today
Codein Colchicin Thrombin Inhibitors Digoxin From Dyes to Drugs
Methylene Blue • first synthesized in 1876 • Active against malaria
• Phase III clinical trial for + N S N Alzheimers ongoing
N Cl
S
N Cl Chlorpromazine (Antipsychotic) N Chlorpromazin and the number of patients in psychiatric hospitals in the US
“The effect of this drug in emptying psychiatric hospitals has been compared to that of penicillin and infectious diseases.”
Number of patients in state and governmental hospitals in the United States 1946-1967
From: F.H. Clarke, How modern medicines are discovered, 1973, p. 57 Leo Sternbach and the Discovery of Diazepam (Valium) Diazepam / Valium
“During the 1970s
First sentence from “Leo Sternbach, The Benzodiazepine Story”, 1970
Diazepam Discovery of the Benzodiazepines
N N R N N X N R O Cl N O
Quinazoline 3-oxides Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) Clinical Development of the first Benzodiazepines
• Librium – Synthesized in 1955 – Tested in May 1957 – Launched in 1960 (2.5 years from first pharmacological testing to introduction) • Valium (Diazepam) – Tested in 1959 – Launched in 1963 (4 years from first pharmacological testing to introduction) Benzodiazepine Agonists Introduced By Roche
N
H N O H O O N N N N N
N N Cl N Cl NO2 Cl N Cl N O F
Chlordiazepoxide Diazepam Nitrazepam Medazepam Flurazepam (Librium, 1960) (Valium, 1963) (Mogadon, 1965) (Nobrium, 1968) (Dalmadorm, 1970)
N H O H O O N N N N
N N N N Br NO2 NO2 Cl
N Cl F F
Bromazepam Clonazepam Flunitrazepam Midazolam (Lexotanil, 1974) (Rivotril, 1975) (Rohypnol, 1975) (Dormicum, 1982) Benzodiazepines Enhance the Inhibitory Action of GABA
Presynaptic Neuron GABA
Diazepam
GABAA -Receptor - Cl Inhibition Postsynaptic Neuron Proposed therapeutic effects of subtype selective
GABAA ligands Average Life Expectancy at Birth in Switzerland Ten Great Public Health Achievements United States, 1900-1999
• Vaccination • Motor-vehicle safety • Safer workplaces • Control of infectious diseases • Decline in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke • Safer and healthier foods • Healthier mothers and babies • Family planning • Fluoridation of drinking water • Recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard
Source: CDC 1999 Major impact of antivirals on public health
Invirase approval 1995 1st PI-based HAART The Discovery and Development Process Description of R&D phases
Research R&D Development New Med Target Lead Lead EIH Phase Phase Phase Proposal Assess Id Opt Enable I II III Reg On Market
Idea GLP studies Evaluate the Optimize a Clinical Registration target (incl 3D lead series phases and Market structure) and Conduct develop a screening / screening design / process virtual screening on a target Cornerstones for Innovation and Differentiation
We know what to target We have a safe and World-Class skills in efficacious compound Translational Medicine (Understanding disease, new (PoM & PoC) pathways, Biomarkers, PHC) (Therapeutic Modalities) and Non-clinical Safety
Small Molecules
Therapeutic Proteins
Peptides
Oligonucleotides FDA Drug Approvals since 1993
Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 14, 77–81 (2015) Renin (2REN) and the inhibitor Aliskiren Discovery of Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Sildenafil synthesized at Pfizer • Potent inhibitor of PDE-5 • Initial clinical studies for hypertension and angina pectoris failed. • However: compound induced marked penile erections • Approved by FDA for erectile dysfunction in 1998 PDE-5 Inhibitors Sildenafil and Vardenafil
Sildenafil Vardenafil Serendipity and Uncertainty in Current Drug Discovery
• Prediction of molecular properties • Prediction of efficacy in humans • Long timelines and high attrition rates • Portfolio management and goal setting The Discovery and Development Process Dwell times and success rates
Research R&D Development New Med Target Lead Lead EIH Phase Phase Phase Proposal Assess Id Opt Enable I II III Reg On Market
57
36
22 14 4.5 2 8 1.2 1 time 3 1 7 years The Pharma R&D Pipeline Dealing with Serendipity and Uncertainty in Current Pharmaceutical Research
• Opportunities – High Throughput Screening of compounds in assays – Big data analysis (genetic and clinical data) – Drug Repurposing New Indications for old Drugs
• Aspirin – Old: analgesic – New: antiplatelet • Gabapentin – Old: antiepilepic – New: neuropathic pain • Minoxidil – Old: hypertension (candidate) – New: hair loss Drug Repurposing
Drug repurposing is the application of known drugs and compounds to new indications or diseases
• Success also demonstrated with older compounds via a use-patent and external licensing: – Tecfidera / Dimethyl-fumarate for MS (Biogen) – Thalidomid for myeloma (Celgene) • Some small biotechs focus on this approach (Biovista, Melior, SOM) and large cap pharmas now highly interested Serendipity and Uncertainty in Pharmaceutical Research Summary
• It takes a very long time to develop a new drug. • Large uncertainty due the low success rate of research projects. • Despite scientific progress , serendipity still plays a significant role. • Good experimental data plus reasonable working hypothesis maximise to chance to identify „pleasant surprises“
„Chance favors the prepared mind“
Louis Pasteur Thank you